LPG cylinders are super flammable, and even with all the safety measures in place, accidents still happen from time to time. If something goes wrong, though, you can actually get compensation for any losses through insurance.
These days, LPG cylinders are found not just in city kitchens but also in rural areas. What many people don’t realize is that the government provides accident insurance for these gas cylinders. This insurance can cover up to Rs 50 lakh, and the best part? It’s completely free! Let’s break it down:
You can claim up to Rs 50 lakh in insurance
Distributors from companies like Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, and Bharat Petroleum are required to have this insurance policy. They secure third-party insurance coverage for customers and their properties. So, if there’s an accident, damage to property, or even a fatality due to a gas cylinder, you can file a claim. This insurance is managed through ICICI Lombard.
When and how does the insurance work?
The insurance for your LPG cylinder is tied to when you buy it and its expiration date. However, many people forget to check the expiry date when purchasing a cylinder. If you buy one that’s expired, you won’t be eligible for an insurance claim. So, always check that expiry date when you’re getting a new cylinder!
What’s the cost of the insurance?
– If there’s a serious accident involving an LPG cylinder, you can claim up to Rs 40 lakh for property damage.
– In the unfortunate event of a death caused by a gas cylinder explosion, you can claim up to Rs 50 lakh.
– For any fatalities in an accident, compensation of Rs 6 lakh is available per person.
– If someone gets injured, they can receive up to Rs 30 lakh for medical expenses, with a maximum of Rs 2 lakh per person.
-Every individual affected by an accident involving an LPG gas cylinder is entitled to immediate assistance of up to Rs 25,000.
In such cases, a maximum compensation of Rs 10 lakh can be awarded to each person impacted. Additionally, there is a coverage limit of Rs 15 lakh (up to Rs 1 lakh per individual) available for the medical treatment of family members.
It’s important to note that only the individual in whose name the cylinder is registered can receive the insurance payout. There is no option to designate a nominee, meaning that if the registered individual passes away in an accident, no claims can be made.
How to file a claim?
If an accident occurs involving an LPG gas cylinder, you must notify your nearest police station and distributor within 30 days of the incident.
To claim the insurance, you will need to provide a copy of the FIR, a list of those injured or deceased, the current status of the injured, and details of medical expenses incurred.
In the unfortunate event of a death, a death report must also be submitted.
Once notified, the relevant officials will investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
If it is confirmed that the LPG gas cylinder was the cause, the officials will inform the gas company.
Following this, a team from the insurance policy will visit the site for further investigation and determine the claim amount.
The oil or gas company will then send the insurance claim funds to the distributor, who will disburse the money to the customer or their family members.
How long does it take?
Typically, this entire process takes about 3 to 5 months. A key requirement for receiving the insurance benefit is that the accident must have occurred at a registered residence, meaning the address where the incident took place must be officially registered.
To initiate a claim for the insurance related to an LPG gas cylinder, you can visit the government website mylpg.in.
To check the expiry date of a gas cylinder, follow these steps:
– Gas companies label each letter with a three-month period. For example, A stands for January to March, B for April to June, C for July to September, and D for October to December.
– Look at the spot where the regulator connects to the gas cylinder; you’ll find a combination of letters and numbers there, like D-20. This indicates the expiry date. In this case, D-20 means the cylinder expires in December 2020. Using the cylinder past this date can be risky, as it might leak and lead to serious accidents.